South Sudan's military says 163 killed in battle

JUBA, South Sudan – South Sudan's military spokesman says 163 people, mostly rebels, were killed in a battle in a restive state inside its borders.

Col. Philip Aguer said Thursday that the battle earlier this week was fierce. He said the government counted 143 dead bodies from a militia group. Aguer said 20 government forces were killed and 70 were wounded.

Aguer said government forces captured an airstrip that the rebels have been using to import most of their military supplies. South Sudan accuses Sudan of arming the rebel leader David Yau Yau.

South Sudan peacefully broke away from Sudan in 2011 but is still dealing with violence inside its own borders.